New restaurant serves up Mexican, Guatemalan cuisine

If you don’t know where to look you might just miss the new restaurant, Taqueria El Gallo, located at 2601 Clements Ferry Road. The simplistic exterior is a vast contrast to the artistic interior. The atmosphere is bright and airy, designed with hand painted artwork on the walls, many created by owner Valerin Trabanino.

 

Not the average Mexican restaurant, Taqueria El Gallo blends Mexican and Guatemalan inspired cuisine to create a tantalizing taste experience. In the upcoming weeks the restaurant will start offering alcoholic beverages. Delectable dishes include a variety of menu items from palate pleasing Guatemalan tamales to brunch-time Belgium waffles.

 

“Each dish we prepare with love and dedication for our customers satisfaction, our plates are an international taste. Our recipes come from a mix of flavors. We want to bring the best taste to this beautiful lowcountry,” said Trabanino.

 

Despite pandemic and restaurant closings, Trabanino opened the eatery with the help of her fiancé, Cristobal Duran, and her mother, Angelica Martinez. Extra precautions for maintaining pandemic protection for customers and staff went into effect before the restaurant opened. 

 

Trabanino opened Taqueria El Gallo because she felt there was a lack of culinary offerings in the area. 

 

“We used to live in the area and we were always craving taco food and we had to drive far just to get something to eat. The area is very pretty. We want to bring in more people to discover how beautiful the Clements Ferry area is,” she stated.

 

When Taqueria El Gallo opened last month local resident Jeremy Roberts was eager to explore the area’s latest addition.  

 

“I am excited to have another great food option nearby, and that an existing structure on CFR has been renovated and repurposed,” Roberts said. “We’ve been for dinner on a weekday and breakfast on the weekend. I would recommend El Gallo because the food is fresh, the staff is kind, and it’s affordable. The restaurant is nice and clean, and they accommodated everything we asked for.” 

 

Gabrielle Elizabeth went with  her roommate and raved about the dinner.  

 

“It was fabulous! I got the tacos — muy delicioso! My roomie got the quesadilla and loved it! We will be back,” she said.

 

After enjoying her first meal at the restaurant, Mercedes Trambow says she will return to try more items. “I finally was able to eat at El Gallo, I had the chile relleno (stuffed Poblano pepper) with rice on the side. The taste of the food was delicious. The red salsa that came with it was so good with homemade taste…I really enjoyed the food at El Gallo. I heard that the churrasco is good, but I am more a taco girl so I’m planning on going again this week to try the tacos.”

 

Ted Bishop is happy to see a new restaurant opening in the area. 

 

“It’s great and they are working out the kinks ’cause it’s new. I’m happy for more places to eat on Clements Ferry, especially Hispanic food. We’ll be back for sure,” he said. 

 

Hours are Monday to Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Take out is available and they hope to offer delivery soon. To find out more, check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.